Saturday 24 November 2012

November 24 2012 | AA 12 Steps In Action | Step 11 Daily Meditation Alcoholics Anonymous

November 24 2012 | AA 12 Steps In Action | Step 11 Daily Meditation Alcoholics Anonymous Today's Daily Reflections: "fellowship… A safe place for all religions, believers and nonbelievers…" The AA daily reflection suggests we listen to all people, as they share their experience, strength and hope: The experience, strength and hope of recovery. And of course each and every human being is on their own spiritual journey, listening to the wisdom, regardless of background, and with regard to everyone's beliefs. We learn so much more if we are not prejudiced to wisdom wherever it comes from, tolerance and love works today…

Video For Today:

Tolerance And Love

Many years ago, I was in hospital and very unwell. A Roman Catholic priest came in the middle hours of the night and I was fully awake, and without my favourite substance. I was in a joking mood and putting on a brave face and asked him whether he had come to give me the last rites, and he said yes. I told him in no uncertain manner to fuck off and mind his own business because I was not a Catholic, to which he replied, "don't be so fussy." It seemed funny at the time, but it struck a note in me, that life was nearly over. Oddly over the time in hospital, the priest befriended me, and somehow he made it okay for me to be alive and participate in services, which had no particular denomination in the hospital. I listened to people who wanted to be alive and have purpose again. The whole escapade sunk deep into me. I was able to connect with life again, at the same time, and even now I have no religious affiliation. But I did really connect to the notion that life and I could be restarted. It still took a long while to get to recovery…

So where do I get my advice today? Where do I hear suggestions which might be good for me? And who do I trust? I trust myself to listen to what is going on and ask for help frequently when I need it. When I wake up in the early hours of the night on my own, I do not feel the old fears, and I rarely wake up from a nightmare because I just don't have nightmares anymore. Symbolically, and realistically, I can accept that "God is truth, God is love" which means I can listen to anyone anywhere and find wisdom being expressed by other people. On my own, I am to a degree, self-aware, can understand my feelings and how they impact on my thinking. Actions? Often to be discussed with those with experience, strength and hope, right now…

Sometimes I go too far in my daily routines and then add stuff on top. The result is I am trying to work over 100%. Which means something gets squeezed when I add to my day and do not take something off the agenda. Consequently, the results are somewhat shallow and I have overworked myself. I keep on learning this lesson over and over in recovery, trying to fit more into one day than is good for me, leaves me exhausted and not quite myself. And yesterday was a good example, I ground to a halt… Halt, H. A. L. T. Which means I had a combination of hungry, angry, lonely and or tired. Actually I was just tired, and if I pushed too far the other obvious ones would have happened. I'm always learning. When I need to stop, the serenity prayer helps me with the can do and cannot do in the moment of now… This morning I do feel restored to sanity, and I will check out this feeling when I get to a meeting later…

In essence, I need to remind myself that I don't have to work it all out, I don't have to work life out and what I need to do on a daily basis. And the gift of fellowship, not only opens the door to learning wisdom within AA, it opens the door to listening to the wisdom of the world, namely the people we meet on what they do and how they go about living. And not judging! Judging other people was something I had to do for a living for many years and find their strengths and their weaknesses. I'm glad that life is over, and whilst I was good at doing that job, it was always undermined by the judgement of others! Now what does that tell me? It is never right and will never be right to play God with other people. As the saying goes, judge not lest ye be judged…

DonInLondon 2005-2011

When writing a life story as part of step 4 in the fellowship, I needed to write down where life worked and where life broke down. As a result I needed to really accept my part in all matters. This made possible the transition from not blaming the world or me, and still accepting consequences and making amends for the past and immediate amends today. To love, be loved and useful, cherishing life today…

Working with what works to be sober today. Back in the day I thought I knew better, and I did judge the world and everyone in it “As Don saw it.” Today, the more I know, the less I know. It is a good day when I know what makes me tick, and it’s even better now I don’t know what makes anyone else tick. If I have to learn what works for me, I need learn what works for you; assumptions are resentments under construction…

I guess I may be described as a Big Book enthusiast, and also a 12&12 is where I get even more help learning life today. I don't mind what people think, its what works daily and keeps me fitter than otherwise. I would not want to be a dry drunk today...

November 24 2010 ~ Emotional, spiritual and physical, sober today. Sober is the priority so I may experience reality as it is right now. Emotional being: knowing how I am feeling right now, why, and what to do. Spiritual being: connected to reality right now and present. The universal search for truth, love and wisdom, we find it in the moment of now...

November 24 2010 ~ I can share my experience strength and hope, it does not mean my answers are right for you. It may help another person focus on what is right for them. I draw wisdom from any and every source to help me in my actions to be sober, to love, be loved and useful. Living reality as it may be today...

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AA Daily Reflections ~ "A UNIVERSAL SEARCH" NOVEMBER 24 be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87

I do not claim to have all the answers in spiritual matters, any more than I claim to have all the answers about alcoholism. There are others who are also engaged in a spiritual search. If I keep an open mind about what others have to say, I have much to gain. My sobriety is greatly enriched, and my practice of the Eleventh Step more fruitful, when I use both the literature and practices of my Judeo-Christian tradition, and the resources of other religions. Thus, I receive support from many sources in staying away from the first drink."

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November 24 2007

DonInLondon - ‘Day In The Life’ Life On the Inside

Inside Out - As life affords and consequences follow..

Prison

I went to prison yesterday to go to a fellowship meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. Me doing the chair which is sharing my experience strength and hope. I was not on my own, I had an old hand to help me with what to do. He just said be yourself, which I was, and the rest went as it may. Wherever people are with their lives its better with a sober head. And it may seem strange to go to a gaol and meet people working the programme of AA.

As is often commented prisons don’t work, I heard it again today and said with great passion and with a certainty which is born in experience. I have respect for anyone who gets to realise what works and what does not, wherever they may be. It does not mean I share all their sentiments. I just know why it is so. I can reason, for many, prison does not work to deter certain behaviour and consequences. Indeed a spell in prison can be a life saver rather than being out in the world and heading for an early death. Or worse living in more degrading circumstances than prison offers.

A Harsh World

When living in freedom is worse than living in prison. Imprisoned we can be, in our own world on the outside I realise than for many this world is just plain harsh. What we offer in the way of community, society and civilised living leaves many dislocated and on the fringes. Great numbers are disadvantaged, great numbers dwell and live in conditions we might never expect or realise until we have lived them.

So in the prison, it is never like we see second hand on TV or film. Sure we know there are bars. Its what we see when we meet and listen with care to how people get to be where they are.

Consequences

Our laws are clear, yet the extent to which we see those in privileged positions bend them, live another day in freedom and also the risks of getting away with things can make all our laws seem worthless when living outside society.

Barbaric

What is barbaric, that people risk their liberty? Or that people don’t care so much about the consequences until they are real.

I don’ t know the answers to these questions or feel in a position to judge one way or another.

The Law and Judges

It takes years to become a Judge I guess, to know the law and to practice and implement it. Lawmakers we all are as we vote and make our decisions through those who represent us.

Judges know one part of the practice of punishment, that is to deal the sentence they can. And make sure those who break the law are punished.

And I still wonder if prison is the right way. Or is it just part of redemption.

Some people cannot be in society because of their outlook and their crimes I am certain of that, habitual and chronic criminal behaviour, hate crimes and everything about terror.

Society

We do not know always, how people find themselves criminals, we may understand it, and be appalled by it, yet for me now I question how we help those who can be helped, who can have a future and who can redeem themselves. I know society tries and maybe my one visit prompts me to want to help those who are inclined to change. How best to do this?

I guess I need seek guidance from those who do this, and if my efforts to share a life, free, to live a straightforward and productive life, then I can enquire further. I am not a “do gooder.” I see there is good to be done. And indeed my efforts may be marginal and truly just a very small part to help with a massive problem, a small contribution can be very worthwhile.

But For the Grace of God

How we turn out in society is often about the opportunities we have. I can see how people fall into bad ways. We humans are just skin deep civilised, there is much we can learn and much always to do.

And I do have deep reflections, deeper understanding. And clearly a lot to learn always about our human condition.

24th November 2006

Today

Seems like the world is full of assassins of one sort or another. Looking at the BBC history and the assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby, a Russian spy died yesterday and the murders in Baghdad, the biggest slaughter of all this week we know of. And of course Africa where so many die every day. it’s a bad week indeed.

For so called civilised societies we are really not doing very well. Wherever we endeavour to put right the wrongs of the past, so much bilge comes up to choke democracy and choke any form of freedom. Old scores and new ideas. Old hates and no reconciliation. Colonial blunders and money makers rub their hands.

If there is no reason for economic or geo political divides, what reasons would there be for wars and assassins, have we learned so little? Or is it the nature of the world to enable such self-destructive force as humanity to destroy, and we humans really only have skin deep civilisation?

It all depends on where we are and what we do. For all those still bloodletting the price is as horrid and tragic as those who are dead. For the dead the pain maybe over, for the living yet more as old scores and new ideas foster more and more challenge to the status quo and what we are all about.

Justice

Is as blind as always as mankind fumbles with higher purpose and divine notions. There seems little appeasement or forgiveness about.

Civilisation

Where assassins roam and cause terror and havoc. And Iraq, reeling from impossible dreams of two world leaders who had no foresight or understanding of what forces they let go as soon as they went away from International law and sanctions. The gloves off and every form of resentment is played out over and over. What folly? What stupidity let this happen, and all for the sake of doctrine and gain. For if there were no gain why do all this at all.

Last Night

New Living Old Ideas

Seems something has to give along these lines. As we get with new living every day, old ideas may have or have no place in our world. New living! As if it were the answer to everything. Old sayings like if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, well we do need to keep up with modern times and be happy with change in our living.

Change

We all live it even when we prefer old ideas and methods. And the world is spinning ever faster as we learn more, and get on with life in our global world. Yes we are global and interdependent as mass moves and immigration and people just are able to move more than ever before.

Law and Order

The fabric of society as global conflict comes live in our own backyard. And dinosaur politics and old fashioned wars are never going to resolve a thing. Order and structure are broken and so many see the answer lies in their own hands. Never before have we failed to see that assimilation is not happening, that there is no respect of diversity, and every day firmer lines are drawn in the sand.

The only difference these days is the sand shifts, the line drawn cannot be seen, the enemies if we might suggest are not behind that line. For there is no line when the enemy is within. Terror on our streets? Not really, just the terror of leaders who mistake the new globalisation the new way forward.

As time moves every citizens nearer to their neighbour, it is not geography which separates us, its more firmly ideology and purpose.

Old Borders

The old borders are gone, the old ideology is not going to work. The defining of the nation state is in flux and all peoples are merging forever and relentlessly.

We may worry in our geopolitical naiveté, and economic bases where the next threat comes. It comes from within as societies merge or diverge with extremes and governments lost and scratching their heads for the next move and security.

Security

There is none these days for any citizen as the mighty economies roll on. What emerges is rich and poor across the old global boundaries. And the haves and have nothing will feel the threats on their door step.

Old Revolutions and Industry

The old concepts are crumbling and hard to define. The new Revolution upon us, where mankind finally start to realise that global difference is not working, that diversity is not just a notion and theory, that it resides at home right now. That respect for the state and all this implies, its being lost to new pressures which cannot be stopped. We are merging irrevocably in time. How we respond rather than react becomes the new issue in these revolutions and times.

Old Ideas

Old ideas founder as people cling to the rocks of their past, shifting sands and no boundaries to separate. Diversity is coming regardless of will. And in these times of change the human costs will be great. Old monoliths are useless and unable to react.

Global Cultures and Diversity

Inevitable and moving along. We sit in our own problem always and forever where we look for difference and not the similarities. Human beings so similar without nurture, merely driven mad by difference born of ignorance and misunderstandings.

As human beings are emerging and understanding more, there is hope for the future, if we don’t kill ourselves in the process.

Zero Sum

The outcomes may be good or to our everlasting shame, as all mankind need work out there is no advantage, except one, unity and diversity, common purpose based on acceptance. Or there will be no future. In my book, all bets are off and the new ideology emerges, either everyman for himself or everyman for everybody. We decide in ignorance at our peril or start informing rather than judging

November 24th 2005

Thanks and Giving

Ever since man has walked the earth, formed society and put land to use, there has been a celebration of bounty. Our human capacity for Joy and Happiness enables an outlook and opportunity for celebration.

We think we are very advanced as entities, and compared to what we know, we are! As we look back on our heritage and our development, we see similarities and beliefs stretching across all continents of the world. Our humanity is so striking and similar we might wonder why we fight and squabble, bicker and fall out. And yet… We pounce on difference as an animal falls on lesser prey. We keep down the weak and needy, and glory in our own bounty. And we defend our wealth because we made it, and anyone with self will and determination can do what we do! Anyone with a strong heart, grit and determination can make it in this world in the lands of the free and meritocracy we revere across a world of commerce. And any mind with capacity can see the true capacity of this world. What we develop comes from resource, that resource is nature. We have raw resource, the earth, we have our resource, and we have application. When we celebrate our thanks, we celebrate happenstance. When we celebrate success, a wise

fellow knows its currency. It remains always "in good faith". Forget our fellow man at our peril when we celebrate thanksgiving. And as a President reminded those who would raise themselves above their fellows and decree a power greater than they:

"No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth. Proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln, 3 October 1863." Whether it is God, Nature or mankind a time will come when we in our own "good conscience" will right the past wrongs of time and circumstance…

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Just For Today And Every Day, Cherish Always...

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AA Official Online Site: Daily Reflections

AA Official Online Site: Big Book And Twelve And Twelve

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“The method of prayer & meditation. We often hear it said in meetings that the speaker "hits his knees every morning." Not being brought up Catholic or Muslim, we envisioned that slapping of the knees might be spiritually significant in A.A. When we discovered that the act of prayer was being referred to, we asked why A.A. tells us to get on our knees to pray. We were informed that A.A. makes no such suggestion. In fact, reference to praying on the knees, in the original draft of Step 7, was explicitly removed to prevent the misconception that such a practice was suggested. Moreover, to be on one’s knees as a prior condition to prayer will prevent prayer at many opportunities during the day. If you or your sponsor think that you should be on your knees for correct prayer, then by all means do so. It might just be the best way to pray. For the content of prayer, see Step 11b that follows.” BB Bunch

November 2012 | AA 12 Steps In Action | Step 10 The Now Inventory

Alcoholics Anonymous | Step Eleven Reading Video Link:

Step Eleven Reading


November 2012 | Video Reading How It Works:

November 2012 | Video Reading Into Action :

November 2012 | Playlist All About Step Eleven:

Step Eleven Video Playlist

I do not speak for Alcoholics Anonymous I speak for myself. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of unique and authentic people who speak for themselves where they will to share experience, strength and hope about recovery on a daily basis. Anonymity affords sanctuary to find how to live sober and be open, honest and willing to learn life day by day. For me "truth," "love" and "wisdom" offer the best spiritual experience by living reality today. Into the fabric of recovery from alcoholism are woven the Twelve Steps and the Traditions: steps to be open, honest and willing to learn, traditions to live unity, service and recovery.

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Spiritual principles ~ Forgiveness Acceptance Surrender Faith Open-mindedness Honesty Willingness Moral-inventory Amends Humility Persistence Spiritual-growth Service

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About Psychosis And Depression:

Psychosis And Depression

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